Livingbridge were delighted to host a Brand Leaders dinner this week with retail expert Mary Portas and MBS' Moira Benigson.

Mary chaired a fascinating and lively debate, which focused on the challenges and opportunities facing brands and retailers in today’s economic climate. The discussion covered a broad array of topics including:

• The importance of innovation, and the ability of brands and retailers to create memorable experiences on the high street;

• Understanding how millennials engage with brands and the importance of social equity; and

• How to maintain the creativity and entrepreneurial spirit within a business to ensure its brand stays relevant.

Whilst bad news stories currently dominate the headlines, new winners are beginning to emerge. Livingbridge are excited to see what brands will survive and thrive in this current era of creative destruction. The pace of change is rapid but we remain committed to backing visionary entrepreneurs in the consumer sector.

Mary Portas - Mary is widely recognised as an authority on retail and brand communication. In addition to her creative agency, Portas, Mary has published three books on retailing and, as Global Retail Ambassador for Save the Children, she created a new charity shop formation Mary’s Living and Giving stores.

Moira Benigson - Moira founded specialist executive search firm MBS in 1989 and is widely recognised as one of the UK’s most successful and respected search consultants in the retail, fashion, luxury and consumer sectors. Moira has personally overseen over a thousand searches which have included many high-profile appointments that have helped to step-change companies’ performance.